]]>It’s no secret we love weddings here at ModCloth. Add nature and the whimsy of winter to our love list and you’ve got the inspiration for our next bouquet how-to!

In this bouquet, cedar and juniper branches treat your nose to the sweet scents of a coniferous forest. Rich jewel tones and earthy hues, like emerald, ruby, tawny, and sage make for an enchanting winter palette. Dried plants, tree clippings, and feathers are at once rustic and elegant. The best part? By using dried flora, this bouquet will last as long as your love.

Next, add shorter clusters of juniper branches to fill out the bottom of your bouquet. The dusty blue berries bring the wintry teal hues of the cedar and eucalyptus into the foreground of your display.

Step Four

Delicate pieces of baby’s breath interspersed throughout the branches resemble the sprinkle of snow flurries!

Step Five

Next, tie your arrangement together with the ribbon. A pale sage burlap ribbon is ideal for its neutral, earthy hue and natural material. Note: Because this bouquet is meant to be cradled instead of held, the ribbon can be simply knotted together instead of pinned into place.

Step Six

For the finishing touches, accent your arrangement with a few pheasant feathers. Their tan and brown hues and striped pattern provide an eye-catching contrast, while their long, narrow shape mirror the tall foxtails and eucalyptus. A stunning display of nature, perfect for the rustic winter wedding of your dreams.

]]>https://blog.modcloth.com/wedding/rustic-winter-wedding-bouquet/feed/0Seeing Stars: A Constellation Pumpkin DIY (That Went Awry)https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/diy/constellation-pumpkin-diy/
https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/diy/constellation-pumpkin-diy/#respondThu, 13 Oct 2016 14:47:38 +0000https://blog.modcloth.com/?p=98822It's a shovel! It's a spoon! No, it's a Pinterest fail! When I set out to carve a constellation pumpkin, inspired by the many, beautifully-crafted gourds on Pinterest, I envisioned mine would come out the same and I could proudly display it on my porch. But, in the world of DIY, things don't always go as planned...

When I set out to carve a constellation pumpkin, inspired by the beautifully crafted gourds on Pinterest — like this utterly perfect pumpkin from The Merrythought — I envisioned mine would come out the same and I could proudly display it on my porch. But, in the world of DIY, things don’t always go as planned…

In this pumpkin-carving tutorial, we show you how to carve a big ladle The Big Dipper into a matte black pumpkin (and offer some alternative constellations that don’t resemble a giant spoon).

Step Four Connect the dots by carving lines slightly into the pumpkin with your knife.

Step Five Place your twinkling lights in the inside and voilà — illumination!

Okay, but it doesn’t really look like The Big Dipper, does it? Let’s be honest, I carved a rudimentary ladle into a chic, black pumpkin! Not my finest DIY hour, but, hey, you live and you learn. Let’s see what minor hiccups I faced during my unexpected-carving-exploration, and how to avoid this pumpkin’s fate.

What Went Wrong:

My drill broke! So, for a few of those holes, I kind of just stabbed the pumpkin with the drill bit.

The connecting lines I carved were too thick, and there’s really no coming back from that.

My biggest mistake? I free-handed the constellation! I have deep, deep regrets about this. But, alas, here we are. I suggest printing out an image of your chosen constellation, placing it directly onto your pumpkin, and marking your points through the paper.

Speaking of constellations, here are some others you could try:

Scorpius — Halloween is a Scorpio date, after all!

Cyngas — the simple, yet graceful, swan in the sky.

Draco — a serpent of long, winding points for an extra-large carving adventure.

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to try my hand at another unique Jack-o-lantern. As if one bum pumpkin could stop me from me getting in the Halloween spirit! Despite my less-than-perfect creation, I’m ready to don the most magical Halloween-inspired outfit and decorate for a party that maybe even my funny, li’l Jack-o-lantern can attend.

]]>Whether you’re walking down the aisle, or setting a festive fall table for a delicious harvest spread, this is one adorable arrangement that you’ll want to DIY! Check out the few simple steps below, and add it to your autumn repertoire.

What You’ll Need:
Fall flowers and greenery (spider mums are a great choice)
Large and small foam balls
Yarn in colors of your choice
Wooden skewers
Burlap ribbon

Step One

Wrap the foam balls in yarn. This will take longer than you think it will — at least it did for me! Be careful as you wrap, and make sure the wrapping is neat, not messy. You can either glue the ends down once the balls are completely wrapped, or just tuck in the loose end. Use a few variations of colors within your scheme for the best result. We went with three small multi-colored (seen here), one large burgundy, and two small goldenrod.

Step Two
Insert wooden skewers into the yarn-covered foam balls. Be careful not to push them all the way through! You want to use the skewer as the ‘stem’ in your bouquet.

Step Three

Cluster together your flowers, interspersing the greenery. Then, insert the yarn balls throughout, spacing them out to add splashes of color throughout. Then, wrap the stem with your burlap ribbon, and you’re done! This arrangement looks just as gorgeous in a vase as it does going down the aisle.

+Don’t forget to check out all our autumnal attire to get your seasonal style on from head to toe!

]]>Greet guests — and the impending (and oh-so-welcome) sweater weather with an unexpectedly awesome fall wreath! Polka dots may not be the pattern you typically think of when you hear “autumn”, but after you scope out this simple and sweet fall wreath DIY, you just might change your mind…

Step One

Begin by securing the start with a floral pin to hold the ribbon in place. Then, continue wrapping the ribbon around the floral wreath form.

Step Two

Once you’ve wrapped the entire form, trim your ribbon, and secure the other end with another floral pin. Make sure it’s nice and tight before securing the end!

Step Three

Next, trim the ends of your faux leaf sprigs if necessary. You want about 3/4″ stem. Place 2-3 stems on each side, with their stems facing towards each other, meeting in the middle. Secure each spring with 2-3 floral pins, being sure to place them under the leaves so they’re hidden.

Step Four

If needed, glue a faux leaf over the center where the two berry sprigs meet to hide the stems. And you’re done! Step back and admire your adorable handiwork.

+Don’t forget to check out our favorite fall fashions to get the autumnal vibes goin’ from head to toe!

How dreamy is the setting of our current wedding style story? This is the kinda of party that I definitely want to attend! Equal parts chill and lush, with mood-setting twinkle lights and an awesome array of greenery, this stunning set-up was ideal inspiration for the gorgeous green and gold succulent tablescape you see below. Read on to get the deets on how to recreate it for next soiree!

First things first: the table is your foundation, and to achieve a rustic-luxe look, you want to opt for a weathered wood tabletop. Next, the place settings! Vibrant gold-dipped plates pair with golden cutlery and Midas-touched glasses to work together in perfect glam harmony.

Now, on to the focal point of your tablescape: the centerpiece! Start by placing a variety of succulents and mini-cacti in your Ex-Seeds All Expectations Planters. You want to be sure to mix things up — you’re going for a variety of textures, heights, and hues to keep things visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing.

Once your plants are potted, remember decorating’s golden “rule of three”: always group things in odd numbers to keep ’em balanced. So, place three planters in the center of your table, then weave your string lights through the succulents and cacti and down the center of the table.

Last, but not least, place your faux succulents on each plate. Voila! Your table is the epitome of casual-luxe-cool, setting the scene for one awesome dinner party, and making you a host extraordinaire.

]]>https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/succulent-tablescape-inspo/feed/2A DIY Lavender Linen Spray Fit for a Queenhttps://blog.modcloth.com/decor/diy-lavender-linen-spray-fit-queen/
https://blog.modcloth.com/decor/diy-lavender-linen-spray-fit-queen/#commentsFri, 08 Jul 2016 14:30:25 +0000http://blog.modcloth.com/?p=97372Today, we're teaching you how to DIY a linen spray that will make your home smell incredible and help you relax.

]]>Today, we’re teaching you how to DIY a linen spray that will make your bedding smell incredible and help you relax.

We opted for a lavender scent because of its ability to help ease tension and soothe your mind and spirit, but you can use a different fragrance, as well. For example, you could try rose, basil, citrus, eucalyptus, or any other essential oil that brings you comfort.

DIY Linen Spray

What You Need:

witch hazel

distilled water

lavender essential oil

dropper tool

container

Step One

Combine 2.5 ounces of distilled water with 1.5 ounces of witch hazel. We’re making a 4-ounce batch because that’s the size of our atomizer, but if yours is bigger, then multiply accordingly.

Step Two

Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil to the water and witch hazel mixture. If you want a slightly stronger or weaker scent, add a little more or less depending on your preferences. Mix well.

Step Three

Pour the mixture into your bottle. We like the idea of dressing things up a bit, so we opted for a fancy little atomizer we found online.

Spritz your linens before bedtime, or any time you want a boost. You can also spray your pillows, window dressings, cloth shower curtain, couch, blanket, or any fabric. Make sure you give your bottle a little shake before you start spraying.

]]>https://blog.modcloth.com/decor/diy-lavender-linen-spray-fit-queen/feed/2Lay It On the Lawn: A Life-Sized Scrabble DIYhttps://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/lay-lawn-life-sized-scrabble-diy/
https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/lay-lawn-life-sized-scrabble-diy/#respondFri, 01 Jul 2016 14:00:45 +0000http://blog.modcloth.com/?p=97468It's the height of summer, and you know what that means: outdoor parties galore! With this wave of summer activities upon us, how's a gal to make her gatherings stand out from the crowd? We got two words for you: Life-sized Scrabble.

]]>It’s the height of summer, and you know what that means. Picnics! Backyard bashes! Enough barbecues to attract a wild Guy Fieri! With this tidal wave of summer activities upon us, however, how’s a gal to make her gatherings stand out from the crowd?

We got two words for you: Life-sized Scrabble. Read on to bring your favorite wooden tiles from the game room to the backyard with this party-pleasing DIY!

If needed, cut your black number stickers out and place them in the lower right-hand corner of each rectangle. For a guide on how many points each letter is worth, click here! Next, trace the outline of your letter stencils with 3-D fabric paint. This will provide a foolproof raised border for easy painting!

Once your fabric paint has dried, fill in the entirety of each letter with black acrylic paint.

And, there you have it. The process is lengthy, the materials are many, but the results are oh-so worth it. Tactfully arranging your life-sized Scrabble tiles across the yard not only gives your brain a workout, but it gets your heart pumping, as well! (Seriously. I was panting through my smile by my third turn.)

]]>Duuun dun duuun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun …What’s that on the horizon? It’s getting closer… Why, it’s Shark Week! It’s no secret we’re all about sharks here at ModCloth, so what better way to celebrate these dashing creatures of the deep than an adventurous Shark Week DIY?

In this tutorial, we’re shrinking down Great White Sharks into marvelous miniatures you can wear as a necklace! Now, they may be small, but watch out — these fish are ready to cause a frenzy.

Check out the oh-so-easy way to wow during Shark Week below!

What You’ll Need:

Small rubber sharks (available at your local craft store)

Jewelry chain

6mm split rings

15 mm lobster clasps

Pliers

Safety pin

There are a lot of tiny pieces involved, so it’s a good idea to stay organized.

]]>https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/diy/shark-jewelry-diy/feed/3Totally Pin-Worthy: A Brooch DIYhttps://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/diy/pin-diy/
https://blog.modcloth.com/lifestyle/diy/pin-diy/#commentsMon, 20 Jun 2016 14:01:35 +0000http://blog.modcloth.com/?p=97204Pins are back, baby. The charming extras that accompanied our jean jackets on every sixth-grade adventure have reassumed their place in the spotlight, and how did we pay tribute, you ask? We made a few of our own!

]]>Ah, yesteryear. Good ol’ patterns of time. The questions that have kept historians and philosophers occupied for centuries: Does the past predict the future? Is history destined to repeat itself? If current accessory comebacks are any indicator, we at ModCloth would answer these inquiries with a resounding, “DUH.”

Pins are back, baby. The charming extras that accompanied our jean jackets on every sixth-grade adventure have reassumed their place in the spotlight, and we can’t get enough. What better way to pay tribute to our favorite quirky accessory than by making a few of our own?

Check out the oh-so-easy way to up your pin game below!

What You’ll Need:

Glue gun

Metal bar pins

Dollhouse miniatures (available at your local craft store)

Fabric flowers

Scissors

Step One

After your glue gun is fully heated, place a thin line of adhesive on each bar back.

]]>Our last bouquet how-to starred an awesome array of veggies — so it’s only fair to feature fruit this time around! We can totally see this wedding bouquet in the hands of a fun-loving, free-spirited bride in a balmy beach location…

Fresh fruit will add some serious summertime vibes to any arrangement. Plus, these citrusy delights provide a few delightful fragrance notes for your bouquet! The best part? Putting together this stunner is crazy-easy and oh-so-impressive.

What You Need

We opted for li’l key limes and clementines in our summery arrangement because we thought the bright orange would provide a pretty pop against the hot pink and fuchsia flowers — but you can use any fruit your heart desires!

Step One

Gather your flowers up into a single bouquet. Space out the different colored buds, and intersperse them with greenery to create an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. At this point, you don’t want to wrap the ribbon too tightly around the base, so just loop it around once or twice and tie in a bow. Note: you don’t need fancy flora! These flowers came from a mere grocery store.

Step Two

Next, use your wooden skewers, and gently pierce your limes. Cut your clementines in half, and then do the same with them. Be careful with the clems — you don’t want to go all the way through so that the pointy end of the skewer shows!

Step Three

Place your fresh fruit-tipped skewers into the bouquet, spacing them out evenly to add bright bursts of color and texture. Then, undo the bow, and tightly wrap your ribbon around the base of your bouquet multiple times, securing it at the end with a straight pin. And boom — you are done!

+What unexpected addition do you love to see in a bouquet? And don’t forget to check out our wonderful and whimsical wedding wear to find something stunning that’s just your style.